Saltwater Cowboy John Wesley Bloxom watches the remaining members of the Chincoteague Pony herd finish their swim across Assateague Channel in a heavy downpour on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 during the 88th Annual Chincoteague Pony Swim. less

Saltwater Cowboy John Wesley Bloxom watches the remaining members of the Chincoteague Pony herd finish their swim across Assateague Channel in a heavy downpour on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 during the 88th Annual ... more

A boat in Assateague Channel is dwarfed by a thunderstorm cloud just before the Chincoteague Ponies hit the water for their annual swim to Chincoteague, Va. on Wednesday, July 24, 2013. The storm brought heavy rain as the ponies made the 88th annual swim. less

A boat in Assateague Channel is dwarfed by a thunderstorm cloud just before the Chincoteague Ponies hit the water for their annual swim to Chincoteague, Va. on Wednesday, July 24, 2013. The storm brought heavy ... more

Photo: Jay Diem, Associated Press

A boat in Assateague Channel is dwarfed by a thunderstorm cloud... Photo-4958615.66976 - Beaumont Enterprise

Image 4 of 24

Wild ponies are herded into the Assateague Channel during a rain storm for their annual swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague on July 24, 2013 in Chincoteague, Virginia. Every year the wild ponies are rounded up on the national wildlife refuge to be auctioned off by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. less

Wild ponies are herded into the Assateague Channel during a rain storm for their annual swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague on July 24, 2013 in Chincoteague, Virginia. Every year the wild ponies are ... more

Photo: Mark Wilson, Getty Images

Wild ponies are herded into the Assateague Channel during a rain... Photo-4958616.66976 - Beaumont Enterprise

Image 5 of 24

People stand in the marsh as a storm appoaches, while waiting for the wild ponies in their annual swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague on July 24, 2013 in Chincoteague, Virginia. Every year the wild ponies are rounded up on the national wildlife refuge to be auctioned off by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. less

People stand in the marsh as a storm appoaches, while waiting for the wild ponies in their annual swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague on July 24, 2013 in Chincoteague, Virginia. Every year the wild ... more

Photo: Mark Wilson, Getty Images

People stand in the marsh as a storm appoaches, while waiting for... Photo-4958617.66976 - Beaumont Enterprise

Image 6 of 24

Saltwater Cowboys drive the Chincoteague Pony herd into Assateague Channel in a heavy downpour on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 during the 88th Annual Chincoteague Pony Swim. A portion of the herd will be auctioned on Thursday. less

Saltwater Cowboys drive the Chincoteague Pony herd into Assateague Channel in a heavy downpour on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 during the 88th Annual Chincoteague Pony Swim. A portion of the herd will be auctioned ... more

Young girls sit on dock to watch the wild ponies during their annual swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague on July 24, 2013 in Chincoteague, Virginia. Every year the wild ponies are rounded up on the national wildlife refuge to be auctioned off by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. less

Young girls sit on dock to watch the wild ponies during their annual swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague on July 24, 2013 in Chincoteague, Virginia. Every year the wild ponies are rounded up on the ... more

Photo: Mark Wilson, Getty Images

Young girls sit on dock to watch the wild ponies during their... Photo-4958619.66976 - Beaumont Enterprise

Image 8 of 24

People stand in the marsh as a storm appoaches, while waiting for the wild ponies in their annual swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague on July 24, 2013 in Chincoteague, Virginia. Every year the wild ponies are rounded up on the national wildlife refuge to be auctioned off by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. less

People stand in the marsh as a storm appoaches, while waiting for the wild ponies in their annual swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague on July 24, 2013 in Chincoteague, Virginia. Every year the wild ... more

Photo: Mark Wilson, Getty Images

People stand in the marsh as a storm appoaches, while waiting for... Photo-4958620.66976 - Beaumont Enterprise

Image 9 of 24

Chincoteague Ponies swim across Assateague Channel in a heavy downpour on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 during the 88th Annual Chincoteague Pony Swim. A portion of the herd will be auctioned on Thursday.

Chincoteague Ponies swim across Assateague Channel in a heavy downpour on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 during the 88th Annual Chincoteague Pony Swim. A portion of the herd will be auctioned on Thursday.

Wild ponies are herded into the Assateague Channel during a rain storm for their annual swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague on July 24, 2013 in Chincoteague, Virginia. Every year the wild ponies are rounded up on the national wildlife refuge to be auctioned off by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. less

Wild ponies are herded into the Assateague Channel during a rain storm for their annual swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague on July 24, 2013 in Chincoteague, Virginia. Every year the wild ponies are ... more

Photo: Mark Wilson, Getty Images

Wild ponies are herded into the Assateague Channel during a rain... Photo-4958622.66976 - Beaumont Enterprise

Image 11 of 24

Five women cross the marsh to get a better view of the wild ponies during their annual swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague on July 24, 2013 in Chincoteague, Virginia. Every year the wild ponies are rounded up on the national wildlife refuge to be auctioned off by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. less

Five women cross the marsh to get a better view of the wild ponies during their annual swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague on July 24, 2013 in Chincoteague, Virginia. Every year the wild ponies are ... more

Photo: Mark Wilson, Getty Images

Five women cross the marsh to get a better view of the wild ponies... Photo-4958623.66976 - Beaumont Enterprise

Image 12 of 24

People wait to see the wild ponies swim accross the Assateague Channel during their annual swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague on July 24, 2013 in Chincoteague, Virginia. Every year the wild ponies are rounded up on the national wildlife refuge to be auctioned off by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. less

People wait to see the wild ponies swim accross the Assateague Channel during their annual swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague on July 24, 2013 in Chincoteague, Virginia. Every year the wild ponies are ... more

Photo: Mark Wilson, Getty Images

People wait to see the wild ponies swim accross the Assateague... Photo-4958624.66976 - Beaumont Enterprise

Image 13 of 24

Jo Lenentine sits in a hammock under a dock to watch the wild ponies during their annual swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague on July 24, 2013 in Chincoteague, Virginia. Every year the wild ponies are rounded up on the national wildlife refuge to be auctioned off by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. less

Jo Lenentine sits in a hammock under a dock to watch the wild ponies during their annual swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague on July 24, 2013 in Chincoteague, Virginia. Every year the wild ponies are ... more

Photo: Mark Wilson, Getty Images

Jo Lenentine sits in a hammock under a dock to watch the wild... Photo-4958625.66976 - Beaumont Enterprise

Image 14 of 24

Wild ponies are herded into the Assateague Channel during a rain storm for their annual swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague on July 24, 2013 in Chincoteague, Virginia. Every year the wild ponies are rounded up on the national wildlife refuge to be auctioned off by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. less

Wild ponies are herded into the Assateague Channel during a rain storm for their annual swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague on July 24, 2013 in Chincoteague, Virginia. Every year the wild ponies are ... more

Photo: Mark Wilson, Getty Images

Wild ponies are herded into the Assateague Channel during a rain... Photo-4958626.66976 - Beaumont Enterprise

Image 15 of 24

Wild ponies are herded into the Assateague Channel during a rain storm for their annual swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague on July 24, 2013 in Chincoteague, Virginia. Every year the wild ponies are rounded up on the national wildlife refuge to be auctioned off by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. less

Wild ponies are herded into the Assateague Channel during a rain storm for their annual swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague on July 24, 2013 in Chincoteague, Virginia. Every year the wild ponies are ... more

Photo: Mark Wilson, Getty Images

Wild ponies are herded into the Assateague Channel during a rain... Photo-4958627.66976 - Beaumont Enterprise

Image 16 of 24

People cross the marsh in the pouring rain after watching wild ponies during their annual swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague on July 24, 2013 in Chincoteague, Virginia. Every year the wild ponies are rounded up on the national wildlife refuge to be auctioned off by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. less

People cross the marsh in the pouring rain after watching wild ponies during their annual swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague on July 24, 2013 in Chincoteague, Virginia. Every year the wild ponies are ... more

Photo: Mark Wilson, Getty Images

People cross the marsh in the pouring rain after watching wild... Photo-4958628.66976 - Beaumont Enterprise

Image 17 of 24

Wild ponies are herded toward the fairgrounds after they swam across the Assateague Channel during their annual swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague on July 24, 2013 in Chincoteague, Virginia. Every year the wild ponies are rounded up on the national wildlife refuge to be auctioned off by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. less

Wild ponies are herded toward the fairgrounds after they swam across the Assateague Channel during their annual swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague on July 24, 2013 in Chincoteague, Virginia. Every year ... more

People watch as wild ponies are herded toward the fairgrounds after they swam across the Assateague Channel during their annual swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague on July 24, 2013 in Chincoteague, Virginia. Every year the wild ponies are rounded up on the national wildlife refuge to be auctioned off by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. less

People watch as wild ponies are herded toward the fairgrounds after they swam across the Assateague Channel during their annual swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague on July 24, 2013 in Chincoteague, ... more

Wearing a cowboy hat Owen Waterfield watches as wild ponies are herded down the street toward the fairgrounds after they swam across the Assateague Channel during their annual swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague on July 24, 2013 in Chincoteague, Virginia. Every year the wild ponies are rounded up on the national wildlife refuge to be auctioned off by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. less

Wearing a cowboy hat Owen Waterfield watches as wild ponies are herded down the street toward the fairgrounds after they swam across the Assateague Channel during their annual swim from Assateague Island to ... more

"Saltwater Cowboys" drive the northern herd of wild ponies to their holding pen on Assateague Island, Va. on Monday morning, July 22, 2013. "Saltwater Cowboys" on horseback began to round up the approximately 150 wild ponies that live on Assateague Island prior to Chincoteague's 88th annual Pony Swim on Wednesday, July 24. less

"Saltwater Cowboys" drive the northern herd of wild ponies to their holding pen on Assateague Island, Va. on Monday morning, July 22, 2013. "Saltwater Cowboys" on horseback began to round up the approximately ... more

A Chincoteague pony breaks away from its herd along the beach at Assateague Island, Va. on Monday morning, July 22, 2013. "Saltwater Cowboys" on horseback began to round up the approximately 150 wild ponies that live on Assateague Island prior to Chincoteague's 88th annual Pony Swim on Wednesday, July 24. less

A Chincoteague pony breaks away from its herd along the beach at Assateague Island, Va. on Monday morning, July 22, 2013. "Saltwater Cowboys" on horseback began to round up the approximately 150 wild ponies ... more

Photo: Jay Diem, Associated Press

A Chincoteague pony breaks away from its herd along the beach at... Photo-4958633.66976 - Beaumont Enterprise

Image 22 of 24

"Saltwater Cowboys" drive the northern herd of wild ponies to their holding pen on Assateague Island, Va. on Monday morning, July 22, 2013. "Saltwater Cowboys" on horseback began to round up the approximately 150 wild ponies that live on Assateague Island prior to Chincoteague's 88th annual Pony Swim on Wednesday, July 24. less

"Saltwater Cowboys" drive the northern herd of wild ponies to their holding pen on Assateague Island, Va. on Monday morning, July 22, 2013. "Saltwater Cowboys" on horseback began to round up the approximately ... more

Saltwater Cowboys Thurman Moore, right, and Peanut Moore head out for Saturday's South Herd Round up at Assateague Island, Va. on Saturday, July 20, 2013. The roundup is in preperation for the 88th Annual Chincoteague Pony Swim on Wednesday. less

Saltwater Cowboys Thurman Moore, right, and Peanut Moore head out for Saturday's South Herd Round up at Assateague Island, Va. on Saturday, July 20, 2013. The roundup is in preperation for the 88th Annual ... more